The Best European Desserts to Try When You’re There

Europeans compete over just about everything.

For nothing is this more true than which countries have the very best foods and recipes – especially desserts.

Because human hearts are so intricately woven into the sweet, intimate taste of their homegrown sweets, competition can get a little heated. If you ask any European which country has the best dessert, they’ll always say it’s their country.

The good news is, if you’re on a Euro-trip across the continent, you’ll discover that – somehow – they’re all correct!

While it’s nearly impossible to single out one particular dessert, we’ll provide you with a list of the ones you simply have to try in their native homelands.

This timeless recipe has been a Netherlands classic before the thought ever occurred to American bakers. In fact, this Dutch dessert existed in Europe long before America was even a country.

For the very best iteration of this apple pie-fection, enjoy the deep dish classic at Café Papeneiland – a café established in 1642, more than one-hundred years before the Declaration of Independence was even signed.

Paris Crème Brûlée

Sorry to the Spaniards out there who claim their crema catalana is better than the French counter-part. Truth is, it doesn’t get much better than a fresh crème brûlée beneath the Eifel Tower.

This egg-and-vanilla custard is by far one of the most difficult and complicated ones to prepare around the world, and no one does it better than the Frenchmen and Frenchwomen who’ve been doing it across the generations for hundreds of years.

Italian Gelato

Don’t mistake this Mediterranean classic for its paltry American counter-part. True gelato is superior in numerous ways.

For starters, the flavor is incredibly more intense and the dessert itself is made from all-natural ingredients and lower-fat contents.

Greek Baklava

Speaking of the Mediterranean classics, Greek Baklava is one even the Romans couldn’t get right from their original makers.

This ethereal slice of heaven is crafted like no other at the Hotel Sacher in Vienna, where its creation first began in 1832.

Are you ready for it? We promise, you’re not.

Spanish Churros

Variants of this Spanish classic exist all over the world, but we recommend going right to the source.

It doesn’t get more simple (or perfect) than strips of warm fried dough coated in cinnamon and sugar dipped in pure melted chocolate. Whoever says you can’t have it all hasn’t tasted these.

Turkish Delight

Those of us who are satisfied by sweet geometric shapes will find no better dessert than these perfect little gel cubes.

In America, this dessert was placed on the radar by a certain children’s novel titled The Lion, the Witch, and The Wardrobe where one of the main characters is enticed by these sweet treats from an evil Queen.